7) Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

We arrived in Puerto Vallarta in the morning, and the port immediately felt familiar, almost like home. Right at the port, you can spot a Walmart and a modern shopping area filled with well-known brand-name stores.

For the day, I joined NCL's excursion, "Discover Puerto Vallarta."  As the bus departed the port, we passed through a modern town designed for tourists, complete with familiar establishments, such as brand name stories and large hotels along the waterfront.

As we approached the Old Town, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. The transformation was striking, as you can see in my photos.

Like most excursions, the first stop was at a store where we were encouraged to browse and purchase local crafts and products. This time, the shop was near a river, surrounded by a quaint park featuring fascinating giant trees.

After shopping, our guide led us on a walk through the Old Town, centered around the iconic Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe. That day, a large service was taking place, and the area outside the church was filled with locals selling food and souvenirs and enjoying festivals.

Just outside the church, we stumbled upon a vibrant parade. Women dressed in stunning traditional costumes danced barefoot as they marched down the street, creating a lively and colorful spectacle.

After the parade, the guide took us to another street lined with shops for more opportunities to browse and buy souvenirs.

The final stop of the day was at Vallarta’s newest attraction, Mosaic Park—a charming square near the oceanfront within walking distance of the beach.

6) Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala

Pacaya Volcano Hike

Guatemala is home to 37 volcanoes, many of which are part of the Central American Volcanic Arc. Pacaya Volcano is one of the active ones, erupting intermittently since 1961 and earning its place as one of the country’s most active volcanoes. It is a popular destination for hikers and tourists, who are drawn by its glowing lava flows and breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes.

Our excursion began with a bus ride to the trailhead of Pacaya Volcano.

The climb to the summit takes about 1.5 hours and involves navigating a narrow path with inclines exceeding 45 degrees in some sections. The steep trail, combined with loose volcanic ash and rocks, makes the hike challenging, especially for those unaccustomed to steep terrain. Some hikers opted to take a horseback ride partway up, but for those who pushed through, the effort was well worth it. The views along the way, especially at the summit, were absolutely stunning and made the trip unforgettable.

Descending from the summit was also challenging, as the trail consists primarily of loose volcanic ash and rocks. However, the descent was made easier by the wider path, allowing for a steadier pace.

 

Arrived at the summit!

Hiking down to the base

5) Puerto Caldera Puntarenas, Costa Rica

I joined NCL's half-day "Scenic Costa Rica" excursion, hoping to experience the country’s natural beauty. Unfortunately, the excursion didn’t deliver much of the scenic Costa Rica I was expecting. Like many other excursions, the first stop was a shopping center, where we were “encouraged” to purchase local products. At the entrance, locals provided music, and two girls performed a traditional dance to welcome us. There was also a coffee tasting.

After the shopping stop, the bus took us through some mountain areas, but there wasn’t much in the way of scenic views. Eventually, we arrived at a small town with a lovely church and restroom facilities. The highlight of the excursion was the town square, where local schoolchildren performed traditional dances to live music, creating a delightful and memorable moment.